Blue Origin play some damn fine heavy rock with a hefty dose of attitude. Their release Somnium has touches of modern rock while retaining that old school vibe that will appeal to all. From Stoke-on-Trent, these guys are ones to watch for the next year; be sure to check them out live. It will shock no one that there is a buzz surrounding this lot.

The Relapse Symphony are another bunch with attitude and agnst. They tap into the same vibe as the Black Veil Brides. Or rather TRS are the half-way house between Motley Crue and BVB. Time’s Running Out is an EP that I found myself coming back to repeatedly. Yeah it is a bit poppy and the lyrics a tad twee but so what?

Paragon on the other hand produce a driving dose of proper metal. Think Accept with Udo fronting them for a good guide. Force of Destruction has a very strong German metal feel to it and that works fine by me. This is head-banging, foot-on-monitor stuff that goes down so well at live festivals like Wacken. They have been around since 1990 and boy does it show. Not a foot wrong, they know their genre well.

Prototype are known as a progressive metal band, but this album is far more thrash than anything that screams prog. This is more technical thrash. Catalyst sees the band very much in Fates Warning territory for most of the album. And let’s face it, a band of this type that doesn’t try to ape Dream Theater is a refreshing break from the norm. Oh yes, and give this release a few listens before making up your mind. It is very much a grower.

Pyramada do a fine line in hard rock that sometimes reminds me of Legs Diamond. This is clever stuff that grows on you with each listen. Now is the Time even has a touch of folk about it, despite being hard rock. Lyrically there is an element of storytelling that rises above rush to the chorus which is the norm in most hard rock. That said, they can kick out the jams when they feel like it on tunes like “Hear Me”. The track could be the anthem for post-Sandy New Jersey.